Dasher a ‘cooked chook’

ANY plans “Dasher” had on a local football comeback have been dashed.

Geelong great Darren Milburn, 44, made a cameo appearance with Bannockburn on Saturday in the Tigers’ 46point win over Belmont Lions.

But his return has lasted just one game. The two-time AFL premiership defender suffered an achilles tendon injury in the opening minutes of the final quarter.

Bannockburn coach Peter Riccardi said Milburn was “no chance” of playing again this year.

“He’s a cooked chook,” Riccardi said.

“I feel kind of bad because I was the one that asked him (to play) but he usually tells me where to go.

“We were halfway to Bannockburn and I said, ‘This is exciting because you haven’t told me yet’.

“To be honest, he was probably one of our best forwards up until he hurt himself.”

Milburn retired from the AFL at the end of the 2011 season after 292 games, which included the 2007 and 2009 premierships.

Bannockburn had about “nine or 10 out”, opening up an opportunity for Milburn, who last played senior football in 2016.

He kicked one goal in the 9.30 (84) to 5.8 (38) win at Winter Reserve.

Riccardi said Milburn’s comeback would be a one-off.

“We just needed that extra tall forward,” he said. “At the same time, it was also going out there and teaching the younger kids … structures and stuff like that as forwards.

“Apart from him injuring himself and us kicking 9.30, it wasn’t too bad.”

The achilles tendon injury means Bannockburn will need a new runner as Milburn is usually the man in green delivering the messages.

But he has avoided the need for surgery, Riccardi said.

“I don’t think it’s a full rupture,” he said.

Ayden Osborne kicked three goals on debut to be one of Bannockburn’s best players.

Jack Fielden was also given his first taste of senior football.

The Tigers are undefeated on the top of the GDFL ladder with a 5-0 record ahead of Saturday’s match against Bell Post Hill at Victoria Park.

HE’S A COOKED CHOOK. I FEEL KIND OF BAD BECAUSE I WAS THE ONE THAT ASKED HIM (TO PLAY) BUT HE USUALLY TELLS ME WHERE TO GO.” PETER RICCARDI ON DARREN MILBURN